Expert: Andrew Senger - 7/2/2009

Question
Here is the scenario.

Runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs.  Batter hits a line drive to the outfield and both runners come in.  The batter misses first base on the way to second.  The pitcher makes a proper appeal and the umpire calls the batter out.

Now the question.  Do the runs count?

Answer
Wes,

The runs would not count. The following is from the Official Baseball Rules:

7.12 Unless two are out, the status of a following runner is not affected by a preceding runner’s failure to touch or retouch a base. If, upon appeal, the preceding runner is the third out, no runners following him shall score. If such third out is the result of a force play, neither preceding nor following runners shall score.

The missing of first base is a force play, so no runners shall score.